Hidden Antarctic lake drained 2 cubic km of water in just three years
Scientists discovered active subglacial lakes beneath Antarctica's ice sheet. NASA satellite data revealed ice surface changes indicating water movement. These hidden lakes were found to fill and drain over short periods. This dynamic water system influences ice stream speeds and mass balance. The findings showed a hidden, active world beneath the frozen continent.
Deep beneath Antarctica's thick ice lies an active world, revealed through satellite measurements taken between 2003 and 2006. One study published in Science found that a subglacial lake beneath West Antarctica drained 2 cubic kilometers of water over just three years, while other areas experienced the opposite effect as surfaces rose, indicating accumulating water.
Researchers used data from NASA's ICESat satellite to measure changes in the ice surface elevation, detecting the draining lake's 9-meter drop in 2003-2005. This discovery showcases a dynamic system of moving subglacial water beneath Antarctica, challenging the perception of the region as a static, frozen landscape.
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